The local Village Basketball Tournament is set to make a comeback after a two-year halt at the Brades Basketball court on Saturday, July 14.

The Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) in collaboration with Punch & Get Out Production (PAGOP), will host the league which features six of the Island’s long standing teams. The line-up includes: Look-Out Shooters, Davy Hill Ras Valley, Cudjoe Head Renegades, St. Peters Hilltop, Salem Jammers and MSS School Warriors.

EC$2,000 cash prize will be awarded to the community of the winning team for developmental purposes, while the team will receive EC$500. First runner-up will walk away with EC$300 cash prize, while second runner-up takes home EC$200 cash prize.

Vice President of the MABA, Mr. George Green expressed his enthusiasm to see the league up and going again. “We are happy to say that the MABA in conjunction with the PAGO Production would be hosting the 2012 Village Basketball Tournament. Our aim is to revive the spirit of basketball in Montserrat in an effort to encourage youth and community development.”

“This year’s league promises to be exciting and competitive, so we are inviting the public to come and support their respective teams,” he said.

The Government of Montserrat, M.S. Osborne Ltd. and Bank of Montserrat Ltd. are the main sponsors for the event. The tournament will commence with an opening ceremony, followed closely with a series of knockout championship games.

The last tournament was held in 2009, but was cancelled mid-way due to continuous bad weather conditions; this allowed the 2008 champion, Cudjoe Head Renegades to retain the championship title to present while the league was put on hold.

Mr. Green explained a further reason for the halt. “The MABA recognized there was a need for youth development and started a training program which went on for four (4) months, (May- August) in an effort to host a summer league. Unfortunately most of the youths either went on vacation or migrated for educational purpose and senior players also either stopped playing or migrated, which continually put the tournament on hold,” he said.

In an interview with the VP he also expressed thank to Mr. Holren-Bobb and Mr. Gilmore Williams for their assistance in making the tournament a reality.